MFA in Applied Craft and Design Program Welcomes Natalie Chanin
April 06, 2010
MFA in Applied Craft and Design Lecture | Natalie Chanin
“Craft, Identity and Commerce”
Thursday, April 15, 6:30 pm
MFA in Applied Craft and Design Studios at The Bison Building
421 NE 10th Ave. and Glisan St.
Free and open to the public.
PNCA/Cyan PDX Cultural Resident Natalie Chanin will lecture at PNCA as part of the Graduate Visiting Artist Lecture Series. Chanin is an Alabama-based artist and designer creating projects that reflect a wide range of disciplines, from sustainable clothing and home furnishings to a limited edition jewelry line. Natalie Chanin is best known for her work as co-founder and designer of Project Alabama, which became known for elaborately embellished and completely hand-sewn garments, made from recycled materials by local artisans and sold in stores around the world.
Her design collective, Alabama Chanin, describes itself as “a lifestyle company that focuses on creating an array of products through focusing on slow design and sustainability.” They craft limited-edition products for the individual and for the home. Their products are hand-made, utilizing a combination of new, organic and recycled materials. Natalie sees herself as a perpetuator of what she calls the “Living Arts.” These Living Arts consist of craft and traditions that have been passed down through generations of women and men — connecting us to our roots, our past, our community, and consequently to our present.